Customer Reviews

Smart Homes for Dummies

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

As the title implies, this book is intended for people seeking an overview of what home automation, networking, X10, security, a/v distibution. It is very comprehensive so kudos there.

However, if you are after more detailed instructions on how to hook something up, really plan & design your systems or prewire you new construction this book does not get that deep.

I suppose was hoping for more real examples, diagrams and do it yourself instruction. I'm trying to learn in order to avoid paying someone $2000 to install $200 worth of wire and outlets in my house (especially regarding X10 which is really cool). So I returned this book and am consdiering one called "Automated Home Control" by Bucceri. Haven't found it on Amazon yet, but it's on homcontrols.com and smarthomeusa.com

If you work in a multimedia company or a high tech multimedia laboratory, you probably have a systems administrator and lots of eager students of engineering that can help you design a media and data network infrastructure. However, most of us users who would like to design a network for security, multimedia and computing in a home or small business do not have a systems administrator. Brier and Hurley give an enlightened short course on media, data and electrical networking of your home and small business in Smart Homes for Dummies.

The big vision outlined in this book is simplicity afforded by thinking ahead. Save money and space by designing a network which accesses one main computer server; one digital TV; one VCR; one CD player; one radio; one internet or cable service line for multiple users within the home or business. All these media sources are routed via cables, modulators, preamplifiers and switch panels to each room so that users can choose what they want to play on their computer, speakers and video screens. They inform the reader about 'multi-zone' or multiple channel receiving and transmitting devices needed to to push your wired house to full capacity now and in the future. Costs, esthetics, and how to anticipate future technologies are considered. This book is a pleasant read and a fast way to get up to speed on how to 'Get to Wired'. Think of it like an adventure tour of networking wonderland by Bill and Ted. At the same time this is a most excellent (easy to use) source of reference tables for those of us who prefer to bypass the 'Bill sheet' and get something done.

This is the perfect guide for anyone who wants to equip their home for the 21st century. The focus is on networking the home for audio/video entertainment, telephone, computer & security systems, & making it all work together.

Planning for the new home and remodeling options are covered. Practical tips tell you exactly what components are needed for various levels of automation, including what it will cost and how to stretch your budget.

There are enticing hints about technology to come, how to prepare for it now and what is worth waiting for. Specific brand name products now on the market are analyzed with warnings about conflicting standards.

For more in depth study of specific topics there are lists of web resources and print publications. This book will help you understand what is available in home automation and how to make it a reality in your own home.

I'm rating this book on how well it introduces novices to the "automated home" world.

This book does a really good job describing the basics of many different concepts in home automation and networking. I felt that it concentrated a lot on building a new smart house, rather than installing the technology in an existing home.

If you are interested in learning about automated homes, get this book. If you are already know the basics of home automation, borrow this book. If you are a "smart home" enthusiest who has already completed some automation projects and want's a detailed guide for your next one, look elsewhere.

I actually only got the Dummies book because it happened to be bundled with Home Automation and Wiring. I returned HA&W and kept this one. Dummies gives you enough information that you can really do some of these projects on your own. HA&W is only useful if you're planning on contracting out all of the work and you only want a high-level overview of the concepts.

How far should you go in programming your home for "smartness"? The authors present a very reasonable overview of what is available, what works, and what may soon become available. I found it to be a great resource of information and opinion in planning my next home. It is not a "how to", but a "how much" and "why" kind of book. Well done!

I am in the process of building a house and wanted to put some smart home features in. I read this book and it gave me the information I needed to run all the wire in my house. It is very good at explaining how to run the wires to provide the most benefit. I went from knowing very little about smart homes to putting 2,500 feet of wire throughout the home. Each room is wired with cat 5, coax and speaker wire. I did this for a fraction of the cost it would have been to hire someone else to do it.

This book is an exceptional investment for anyone who is building a new home and contemplating smart-wiring it (and you should smart wire -- it just makes all the sense in the world).

The book explains all the reasons why equipping your house with smart technology makes sense and then makes a compelling argument on the economics of the venture -- the return on investment is exceptional.

The book also presents the information in clear concise language and de-mystifies the jargon. You'll be able to talk to contractors with confidence in their language and you'll save money by buying your own wire -- the book tells you exactly what you need. My contractor told me upfront that he'd tack on 10 percent to the price of the wire as 'book-keeping' cost. So when I bought my first crate of CAT5, the book had already paid for itself.

Only one thing would have made this book better -- instructions or advice on how to actually physically install the wire (which is hard to find anywhere). I hired a contractor, and even though I'm satisfied that I got value from the project, I could have saved more if I'd done it myself.

In anycase, nice work guys.

I read all of these reviews, and I think that it's important to know what the book is and is not. The authors say it above -- it's not a "here's where you put this wire" type of book. It's a design guide and something that you need to read before you read the "here's where you put this wire" types of books. I found it to be extremely helpful in providing the big picture. I think the example provided in one of the reviews about pages 42-43 were unfair -- I looked them up -- they're from the overview sections at the front of the book. Check out the later parts of the book and it gives you more detail than you want -- the part on which modulators to buy for instance. If you are looking for a wiring guide for your audio or stereo system -- this is not for you; if you are looking to figure out an overall approach towards wiring audio, video, security, home control, home automation, etc. -- which I personally would urge you do before you plunk down money on this all -- then I think this book is perfect. There's only so much anyone can do in 300 pages, and I think the authors did a great job in doing what they set out to do -- to introduce me to all my options and what I need to be thinking about when putting together a smart home. The wiring diagrams I can find elsewhere.

Wow! I looked all over for a book that would help both me and my home builder with simple, basic tips to raise my home valuation by "futureproofing" it for the next 20-30 years. You can tell from this book the authors know what they are talking about and have a solid grasp on how future home and entertainment technology will play out over the next 5-10 years, so we could plan for it. I learned all sorts of stuff neither my builder or I had thought of (like networking between my PC and my home entertainment center so I could play my MP3s and movies on my TV). This was a great guide help me sit down with my builder and efficiently plan out where we wanted everything to go. (My builder borrowed the book because HE learned so much.) I HIGHLY recommend this book to ANYONE BUILDING OR REMODELING YOUR HOME. It is a great investment in the future. If I could give this six stars I would.